I was just started on Topamax (for mood stabilization) and Wellbutrin three days ago and it has dramatically decreased my appetite. It’s amazing! I am not nearly so hungry, and when I am, I have been eating less than half what I usually eat. I know it’s only three days so I’m keeping my fingers crossed . . .

I should add that I’m 5’7” and need to lose 35-40 lbs to get down to my good weight of 120. Three previous attempts of VLC diet (800 cals) plus strenuous aerobics and weights, which used to work albeit slowly, failed miserably, perhaps because I turned 40. I have since been placed on Armour thyroid. Yes, I feel I must justify why I need an appetite suppressant. Terrible, isn’t it, the judgment

Yes, I’ve read of Excalia. A press release of the company’s claims what makes it unique is its delivery system (I’m skeptical). The release also said, interestingly, that Excalia contains much higher doses of Wellbutrin and Topamax than is presently prescribed. I also read an excited quote by a doctor who said this combo is the most effective since phen-fen.

I have now been on the combination for eight days. Around day 6 of 25 mg., the appetite suppression effect started to lessen, esp. at night. This is okay because apparently, appetite suppression isn’t even supposed to kick in until 200 mg! This is the level I am currently titrating up to. Yesterday my therapist kicked me up to 50 mg. daily in two divided doses and appetite suppression is back in full force! I continue to have no side-effects from Topamax. In fact, I feel fabulous except for Wellbutrin side-effects below. I am to go up 25 mg. every five days until I reach 200 mg.

I am still on 200 mg. Wellbutrin, 3 grains Armour thyroid. Wellbutrin side-effects are transitory headache and slight dizziness. By the way, my mother, 5’ 2” has lost 25 lbs on 300 mg. Wellbutrin. She is now a little size 6 after battling those pounds for the past 20 years.

I think I lost about 5 lbs in a week. I don’t have scales so it’s hard to say exactly but I know my body. This is a LOT for me in a week. My normal progression is slow and painful.

I’ve been on Wellbutrin for over a year and never lost weight with it. I just started with Topamax for complex migraines that I have. So far the only side effects I have are the tingling of hands and feet and the dry mouth. I started out with 50 mg at night, I am now at 100 split up at 50 mg am and 50 mg pm. I keep reading where everyone has lost weight with it and they have experienced some hair loss. I do smoke and I know that some have said they quit with Topamax so maybe that will help me as well.

I understand that weight loss with Wellbutrin is very dose-dependent. My mother didn’t start to lose until they upped her to 300 mg. You can go up to 450 mg.

I’ve lost about 15 lbs. It is very noticeable in my face and stomach. I believe I would have lost more but was hit with a nuclear bomb in my personal life a montha ago and have been spotty in paying attention to dieting, also drinking too much.

I’m going to ask my doc to eventually up my Topamax dose to the max—am currently at 200 mg. Only side-effects a little peripheral paresthesia, esp. in the cheeks! Very weird to feel that in the cheeks.

Well, like I said I have been on Wellbutrin for over a year with no results and I have been taking 300 mg. So, I dunno. I’m not too concerned about the weightloss altho it would be nice. Just the thought of getting rid of the migraines is going to be a dream!

If something is going to cause weight loss, it will work right away, which means that any weight loss you might experience from Topmax would be from that drug alone and not due to the combination of drugs.

I have been on 300 mg of Wellbutrin and 100mg of Topamax since the beginning of January. I had pretty much all the side effects, tingling, numbness, etc. I have no appetite, food tastes strange to me. I have also lost a significant amount of weight in a short time. I have dropped about 35lbs. in 3 months. I just had my 4th child a year ago, so I was still needing to lose some baby weight. Everyone wants to know what my secret is. But now my family thinks I am losing too much. I feel like the combo has worked well for me. But I guess it is time to cut my dose down.

Wow, Bran….that’s a lot of weight in a short time. Did you diet/exercise along with it, or did it come off without any major effort?

Thanks for the info on the topamax/wellbutrin/phen. I’m getting irritated with my doctor because when I mention Zonegran or Topamax and studies showing these help with weight loss, despite having periodic migraines, I get a look like I’m secretly eating donuts in the car on the way home from my appointment, and I’ve yet to get an Rx for either! I get an Rx for Zomig instead (for migraines).

If I had high blood pressure, prediabetes, or high cholesterol, I’d leave with a handful of pills to treat those symptoms. All of which would markedly improve with a loss in weight. But something to help treat the cause of these symptoms? Nope.

Before I went to my doc I decided that I would stop eating sweets and drinking soda. Then I went to my doctor to be treated for depression and for chronic headaches. He put me on the Wellbutrin/Topamax and said it would also help me lose weight some weight. I really haven’t done anything except avoid sweets, soda and eating several hours before bed. Since the meds gave me no appetite, my meals are very small. The weight has pretty much fallen off. I never thought I would lose this much. I have tried diets, diet pills in the past and nothing has ever worked.

I did read that one of the side effects that you should call your doc about immediately for is severe weight loss. I don’t know if I would consider my self in that category, but my family does. They think I need to cut my dose of Topamax down now so that I stop losing the weight. They feel I am losing too much. I do not want to do that. I think as long as I stay at the weight I am now and do not lose anymore, I will stay at the dose I am on now.